Governance

Governance Committee

The Governance Committee is one of the most influential committees of the board. The committee not only maintains and updates the bylaws and policies, but creates the nominating committee which has the task of making recommendations annually to the board of directors, including recommendations for At-large Directors. Further, the governance committee recruits new board members and is tasked with ensuring that each board member is equipped with the proper tools and motivation to carry out his or her responsibilities.

Members of the Governance Committee

Chair

Ana Christian is an associate in the Health Care practice group at Polsinelli, LLP in Los Angeles. Ana focuses her health care practice on clinical research transactions and compliance. Ana drafts and negotiates all manner of clinical research contract

Chair

Eduardo Juarez is a Senior Trial Attorney with the San Antonio Field Office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission where he litigates individual, class and systemic lawsuits under the federal civil rights statutes prohibiting employment discrim

Co-Chair

Brian Esser Brian Esser is a solo practitioner at the Law Office of Brian Esser. His practice focuses on family law and LGBT couples. Previously, he was a member of the Litigation group in the New York office of Baker & Hostetler LLP. His practice

Chair | Co-Chair

Jeremy Protas is a partner at Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP in Chicago. Jeremy’s practice focuses on securing patent protection in the United States and abroad, counseling clients on patent-related matters, and participating in complex patent liti

O. Kim Byrd is a native of Florida and currently resides in Palm Harbor, Florida. Kim received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida and his Juris Doctorate from New York Law School. He is admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey and Florida. In 2001, Kim established Byrd Legal Counsel, PA, as a general